The Legend Of Saint Valentine

Today, Valentine’s Day is a romance filled occasion of scented flowers, rich chocolates, delightful dinners, and romantic getaways. It is predominantly spent with significant others, but also friends and family. However, many are not cognizant of origins of this vastly celebrated event. How did Valentine’s Day come to be? Where did it start? Who was involved? There’s a story behind every holiday, and this one is about to be revealed to you!

Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. An unpopular and cruel emperor, Claudius II was having trouble getting his men to join the military leagues and plunge themselves into battle. He pondered upon why this was, and arrived at the conviction that his men did not join because they dreaded leaving their loved ones and families at home. So to combat this, he cancelled all weddings and engagements in Rome!

This did not sit right with the good Saint Valentine. He believed that love should be nurtured, not ignored. This is why he resisted Claudius’ rule and continued to secretly perform wedding ceremonies for young people in love.

But as we know from tales of the past, every action, regardless of how good natured it was, comes with a consequence. When Saint Valentine’s secret was discovered he was sentenced to death. But while in jail, he is said to have fallen in love with the jailors daughter. She visited him frequently in his captivity and then on February 14th, before his death, it is said that he wrote her a love letter and signed it “From Your Valentine.” Since then, February 14th has been coined as Valentine’s Day and this brave Saint’s name is used amongst all the lovers out there.